Managing ARFID in College

Going to College With ARFID: What to Know

Going to college with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) can be challenging for many reasons. Many people with ARFID find eating to be a chore and unpleasant, and the added stress of college, eating in front of others at the dining hall, and limited food options. Some strategies can help. Some do require planning and requesting accommodations through disability services in advance.

Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is more like a neurotype–a unique way of processing and interacting with the world, and so people should think more about learning to manage ARFID than to overcome it.

Learn About Your Campus

Before you go to college, learn about the food environment on your campus. Do some research to understand the dining halls, the available dining hall meal plans, nearby restaurants and stores, and what food storage is available in your dorm room. Some schools provide small refrigerators in the room.

Disability Services Accommodations for ARFID

Consider requesting accommodations from disability services. Accommodations may address housing, dining, access to food or food storage, and/or academics.

Some people with ARFID may benefit from living in a dorm that is close to a dining hall (which reduces effort for people who find eating is a chore to begin with) and reduces energy expenditure if you have trouble eating enough volume. You may also be able to request a dorm with more kitchen facilities or fewer people in the room (to reduce sensory overload) or a quiet eating space. Some people might want to see if they can obtain permission to keep appliances in their room (which can sometimes be challenging due to fire codes) or in the kitchen of their dorm. Items such as microwaves and refrigerators are commonly supplied in some dorms these days. However, you may need a hotpot or an air fryer to have additional food options. Or maybe sharing a fridge is hard, and you need your own.

Navigating the Dining Hall with ARFID

The dining hall can be challenging for people with ARFID. Sometimes things are not cooked in a preferred way. The advantages of the dining hall are that there are often many options, and it does not require a lot of effort. It’s good to ensure that you have enough meals on your meal plan to allow you to have as many meals in the dining hall as you want. Other things to consider include managing smells, noise, and other sensory inputs, as well as eating around others. Is it better when it’s less crowded? Do you need to sit outside? Or wear headphones? Do you need to request that food be prepared specially for you? Just like students with allergies or other conditions, you can often work with a campus dietitian if you have a diagnosis and special needs.

Navigating Social Situations with ARFID

Navigating friendships and new relationships can also be more challenging when you have ARFID. It may not be easy to know who to discuss your eating challenges with, how to initiate the conversation, and how to navigate social situations that often involve food. It can be helpful to have alternative activities that you can suggest or places to recommend with your preferred foods available. Before the start of the school year, it can also be a good idea to introduce yourself to foods that you are likely to encounter at campus events, such as pizza and sandwiches.

Academic Accommodations for ARFID

In terms of academics, some students may ask to register early for classes so they can ensure they have access to courses that allow for an adequate lunch break. Some students ask for special dispensation to eat in class (in those situations where professors don’t allow it).

It can also be helpful to plan out your meal schedule once you have your classes and identify where you can obtain each meal and snack within the allotted time. If you often forget to eat, setting alarms can help ensure you don’t miss meals.

Stock Up on Your Preferred Foods

Finally, you will want to bring snacks of your preferred foods that you can keep in your dorm and use to supplement the dining hall meal plan.

Get Help for ARFID in College in California

Seeing a therapist trained in ARFID can be an extra source of support to help navigate college and have a successful semester. If you want to try new foods and become more comfortable with commonly available ones, prepare for the challenges of college, or explore what accommodations might be helpful, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Eating Disorder Therapy LA and work with one of our specialized ARFID therapists.